The Delta Hotel by Marriott Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront has long been a popular place for visitors and residents. Many come to enjoy overnight stays, dine, and explore the area, while others attend weddings, events, and business meetings hosted on the premises.
Associates love to receive and welcome guests, but they also enjoy turning their attention outward, to the community at large, just as much.
“Marriott has five core values that guide all business decisions,” says General Manager Kevin Wyer. “One is ‘serve our world’. We believe we should be part of our community and help strengthen it. To do that, we want to support important efforts to make the Soo stronger.”
The hotel opened in 2010 and currently has 175 associates.
“A few charities have special meaning to our team, and we go above and beyond to help them,” he says. One of the biggest is the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). “This organization supports children’s hospitals all across Canada. We do a huge car wash and raise over $5,000 to donate. We donate the last Friday of every month and dress casual, giving that money to the CMN,” says Wyer. They also donate thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to other CMN events across the country, including donating $1 per person, from all event coffee breaks purchased.
Locally, there are a few other charities that are especially near and dear to their heart.
“Mental health is so important and there are so many issues in our community that stem from mental health struggles,” says the GM. “We have partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) by being a title sponsor and organizer of the Andy Buffone charity golf tournament.”
2025 marks the fifth year of their involvement (they have been heavily involved for the past three) and the hotel is expected to exceed the $100K mark in funds raised—an incredible achievement.
“Anthony Buffone has created a brand with the image of his dad swinging a golf club that has become recognizable all over the Soo,” says Wyer. “This money stays with the local CMHA and is much needed to support underfunded and crucial work.”
Every year, they also host and lead the efforts to run Coats for Kids. “It’s a wonderful event where people donate coats to businesses in town. Cintas collects, cleans, and sorts these coats, then we set them up in our ballroom and open it up to the public to come in and pick out winter clothes for their kids. It’s so powerful and important, and a great community-driven event,” he says.
“Our associates also donate a dollar or two from every paycheque, and from that we cook, package, and serve 150 people through St Vincent Place, five times a year. Not only do our associates help cook and package these hot meals to help people in need in our community, they fund these efforts 100 per cent.”
They also partner with a company out of Montreal called La Tablée des Chefs that helps them coordinate and deliver any properly stored leftover food to shelters in the community. It is a Marriott-driven initiative that really helps communities all over Canada.
“The hotel donates to local charities that meet our criteria everyday—over $10,000 in value of gift certificates, food, and support,” says the GM. “Every year the hotel hosts a run for charity that supports ARCH and the Sault Area Hospital. A very dedicated group of volunteers organize, fundraise, and execute a fun run for kids and adults that promotes fresh air and exercise, all the while raising around $30K a year for charity.”
This focus on giving back is part of the Marriott ethos and reflects their core values of putting people first. “We are in the hospitality industry and strive for customer satisfaction, but we are also passionate about serving our world and partnering with organizations that provide supportive services to our community,” he says.
The company has a site where associates can log their volunteer hours; they even hold fun competitions to encourage everyone to get out into the community and do their part.
The 5th Annual Andy Buffone Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 at the Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club. “This event will sell out because it is so much fun, so well run, and for such a good cause,” says Wyer. “I would ask any companies that want to lend their support to reach out to CMHA as we would love more corporate support to make this tournament the best fundraiser of the year.”
Giving back has always been part of the way of life at the hotel, the GM assures.
“We do much of our work quietly and without looking for a pat on the back. That is honestly because we are doing this for all the right reasons, to support this great city and to help the people of this great city.”
Book your next visit online at Delta Hotels by Marriott Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront or call 705-949-0611.
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